Lorain, Youngstown, East Cleveland academic plans get state approval

LORAIN — Lorain School's academic improvement plan was approved by the state Friday. Interim state Superintendent Stephanie Siddens' approval was the final check needed for the district to start officially implementing the plan, which outlines the benchmarks it must meet to see a return to local control by 2025 at the latest. Lorain Schools has been under state control via House Bill 70 since 2017, alongside Youngstown and East Cleveland districts. House Bill 110, the biennial budget, passed earlier this year, gave the three districts a way out of state control by allowing them to craft individual improvement plans. School Board President Mark Ballard was excited at the opportunity the plan gives Lorain. "Now the work begins," he said, noting he has confidence in the district to meet the majority of the goals outlined in its AIP. Siddens' approval notes all of the benchmarks are no lower than pre-pandemic levels. Lorain Schools' plan focuses on its graduation rate, third-grade reading and early childhood education, some aligned with the state report card such as performance measures for English language learners or students with disabilities. Chronic absenteeism is one of the largest gaps the district will have to cross — decreasing its rate by at least 20 percentage points to meet pre-pandemic levels. In a statement, CEO Jeff Graham said Siddens' approval is huge. "I want to thank our students, staff, families and community for believing in our strategic plan, and for your partnership and collaboration that is making this pathway out from HB70 possible for our school district. I also want to thank our Board of Education for their steady leadership, and perhaps most importantly, their patience." He noted state Sens. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville; Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, alongside state Reps. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Joe Miller, D-Amherst, made the pathway back to local control possible. All four legislators visited Lorain Schools in May. About a month after their visit, Nathan Manning introduced Senate Bill 165, which initially provided just Lorain the three-year pathway out of state oversight. His bill was eventually expanded to include Youngstown and East Cleveland, and ultimately was folded into the state budget and passed in June. The plan will go into effect in July, running through 2025. In June 2025 the district will be evaluated by the State Board of Education to determine if it's met a majority of its goals. It has the option of two one-year extensions. While in effect, the district's Academic Distress Commission will be curtailed and state supports are available. If after June 30, 2027, the majority of those benchmarks are not met, Lorain Schools will revert to state control as outlined under House Bill 70, with an Academic Distress Commission and appointed CEO. Siddens also approved Youngstown and East Cleveland schools' plans Friday. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.